IGP Usman should reverse self on new code for Nigeria Police Force says Ebun-Olu - ITREALMS

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Popular human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, has urged the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba to reverse the illegal new dress code he recently introduced for members of the Nigeria Police Force especially the women, reports ITREALMS.

Aside declaring the new dress code illegal, Adegboruwa said its ultra vires and should be reversed without much ado.

ITREALMS noted that on March 4, 2022, the Inspector-General of Police, Abbas, unveiled a new dress code for the Nigeria Police Force, especially female officers, who are to be allowed to wear coverings or hijab, etc.

Reacting Adegboruwa SAN, said the religion of public officers, including members of the security agencies, should be a private matter to them.

"The Inspector-General of Police is not competent to use the platform of his office to enforce religion," he said.

Adegboruwa SAN cited an instance with Section 10 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which stipulates that government and all its agencies should be neutral in religious matters.

Also he cited Section 42 of the same Constitution which prohibits discrimination in all its ramifications.

In this regard, there will be no end to confusion attending the new dress code prescribed by the IGP.

"What will be the official uniform for police women who are in the Catholic Church?

"How should policemen and women who are in the Celestial Church dress up when the practice of their church is against wearing shoes at all?

"And how should traditionalists who are in the police force dress up, with charms and amulets round their uniforms?"

Adegboruwa pointed out that the Nigeria Police has existed as an institution since 1945 and it is strange that of all the issues confronting that agency, such as low morale, poor welfare, poor infrastructure, poor training, poor welfare, etc, religious adornment should be the priority of the Inspector-General of Police.

He insisted that the police should focus on combating crime, improve citizens engagement and help guaranty safety of lives and property. The religious preferences of policemen and women should be their private matters.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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